A 19-year-old man has launched into a rambling outburst on his first appearance in court charged with the murders of his 48-year-old mother, her 15-year-old daughter and eight-year-old son in Perth’s north-eastern suburbs.

 

Teancum Vernon Petersen-Crofts (left) was charged after his mother, Michelle Petersen, and her son, Rua, were found dead and her daughter Bella was found critically injured at a house in Ellenbrook, about 30 kilometres north-east of the city centre, in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Officers went to the house after they were initially called to a convenience store on The Broadway at 1:30am on Sunday.

Police allege Mr Petersen-Crofts had entered the store and asked staff to call police.

They then investigated the property and found the two bodies, and the teenage girl outside the house fighting for her life.

Later on Sunday morning, officers found a large pair of scissors lying in a verge garden bed about 30 metres from the house.

Investigators photographed the scissors before placing them in an evidence container and removing them from the scene.

Mr Petersen-Crofts was remanded to the Frankland Centre secure mental health facility at Graylands Hospital.

Cairnsnews is appalled at such wanton murders. The alleged culprit is obviously a nut case. His ethnic appearance should shed light on this tragic event. All our thoughts are with the families.